Slow Cooker Arby's Roast Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches

These copycat Slow Cooker Arby’s Roast Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches put a home-cooked spin on everyone’s favorite fast food sandwich. Tender beef is slow cooked in Arby’s classic tangy sauce, then shredded and piled high on onion buns with a creamy cheddar sauce.

Close-up of a hand holding a Arby's cheddar roast beef sandwich with melted cheese on a poppy seed bun. In the background, there is a plate of crinkle-cut fries and a drink.

Copycat Arby’s Beef and Cheddar

If you’re a fan of Arby’s Roast Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches like I am, you’re going to flip over this homemade version! I’ve taken it up a notch – instead of thinly sliced deli roast beef, this recipe calls for a chuck roast cooked low and slow in tangy Arby’s sauce until it’s perfectly tender and easy to shred. Because you can buy the actual Arby’s sauce, you get a perfect matchup with the original. The result is a juicy, flavorful beef that’s even better than the original.

The best part comes once the beef is cooked. It’s shredded and piled high on onion buns. The meat is topped with more of that delicious, tangy Arby’s sauce and a big drizzle of creamy cheddar cheese sauce that takes them to the next level of deliciousness. This is a tasty sandwich you can really sink your teeth into and will have everyone coming back for seconds. Serve it with curly fries for the full Arby’s experience.

If you love these sandwiches, you should also try these Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches and Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches.

Why We Love This Recipe

Better than fast food – This copycat recipe for Arby’s famous roast beef sandwiches is beefier, juicier, and more flavorful than the original.
Amazing flavors and textures – Each soft bun is filled with savory, juicy beef and creamy cheese sauce.
Super easy to prepare – You just season the meat and let the slow cooker do the rest of the work for you.

Ingredients

A bowl of raw beef, a bottle of Arby's Sauce, a bun, a bowl of cheese sauce, and small bowls of spices and soy sauce are arranged on a white surface.

Chuck roast – This is a tender and juicy cut of beef that’s perfect for shredding.
Dried minced onion – Gives the sauce the classic oniony flavor.
Steak seasoning & Worcestershire sauce – Adds savory flavor to the beef.
Arbys sauce – You can get this from most grocery stores or make your own homemade sauce.
Cheddar cheese sauce (I like Ricos) – Adds a creamy, cheesy richness to the sandwich.
Onion hamburger buns – Complements the beef with a soft, slightly sweet onion flavor.

How to Make Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwiches

Step One: Season the Beef

A raw seasoned roast beef is placed in a black slow cooker, prepared with various spices including pepper and minced garlic on the surface.

Place your roast in the bottom of your slow cooker.
Sprinkle the steak seasoning and minced onion all over the roast.

Step Two: Add the Liquids

A piece of meat coated in a red sauce is lying in a black slow cooker.

Pour over the Worcestershire sauce.
Pour the 1 ½ cups Arby’s tangy sauce on the roast.

Step Three: Cook Low and Slow

Cook on low heat for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

Step Four: Shred and Serve

Shredded beef with rich, brown sauce inside a black slow cooker.

When the roast is cooked through and falling apart tender, use 2 forks to shred it.
Pile some on each onion bun and top with more of the tangy Arby’s sauce and the creamy cheddar cheese sauce.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat the beef in the microwave or a large skillet over medium heat

Can I Freeze Leftover Roast Beef?

Absolutely. Let the beef cool to room temperature and then transfer it to freezer bags, letting out all the excess air. Make sure to add the juice to the bag too. You can freeze it for several months.

Plate with two Arby's roast beef sanswiches topped with melted cheese, surrounded by curly fries. A glass of iced beverage and a bowl in the background.

Variations and Additions

Seasonings – Feel free to add other seasonings, like garlic powder or red pepper flakes.
Bacon – You can add bacon and make these bacon beef and cheddar copycat sandwiches.
Buns – Instead of buns, you can serve the meat with garlic bread or Texas toast instead. Serve them on Hawaiian rolls for tasty sliders.
Classic beef sandwich – If you prefer the classic sandwich, you can skip the cheese sauce. It will still taste incredible.
Toasted onion roll – If you want the rolls toasted, you can place them on a baking sheet under the broiler until golden brown
Other sauces – Instead of the cheese sauce, you can top your sandwich with Arby’s horsey sauce, Ranch or French dressing.
Other add-ins – Add sautéed onions, mushroom, and bell peppers for extra flavor and texture.

FAQ’s

Can I make my own Arby’s Sauce?

If you prefer homemade Arby’s sauce, you can make it by combining 1 cup of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of water, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon of paprika, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well and adjust the seasonings to taste.

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Chuck roast is ideal for shredding, you can also use brisket or rump roast. The cooking time will change based on the type of beef you use.

What’s the easiest way to shred beef?

The easiest way to shred the beef is to use two forks. Place the cooked roast on a large cutting board or directly in the slow cooker, then pull it apart using the forks. You can also use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low speed for quicker shredding. Just be careful because the beef and liquid will be hot.

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